Netanyahu and Gadi Eizenkot Consider Rotation Deal Amid Unclear Election Outcome

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party are preparing for a possible scenario where the upcoming elections yield no clear winner, with no bloc securing the 61-seat majority in the Knesset. According to a report by Anna Barsky in Maariv, one option under internal discussion is forming a broad unity government led initially by Netanyahu, followed by Gadi Eizenkot, based on a rotation agreement. Netanyahu would serve first as prime minister, then hand over the role to Eizenkot later.

A major obstacle to this plan is the mistrust stemming from the failed 2020 rotation deal between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. Likud members expect Eizenkot to demand strong guarantees to ensure the rotation is honored. One proposal includes Netanyahu eventually moving to the presidency after the current president, Isaac Herzog, completes his term, providing Netanyahu with a political role post-premiership and reassuring Eizenkot about the rotation’s implementation.

However, Likud officials stress this is an early-stage scenario, with some considering it unlikely. If pursued, the plan would also need to address Netanyahu’s ongoing legal issues and the political ramifications of his potential presidential candidacy. Additional mechanisms to enforce the rotation are being considered, such as budget commitments, no-confidence vote agreements, legal arrangements, and even submitting a resignation letter to a trusted party.

Netanyahu’s campaign for a "broad government" aims partly to prepare for the possibility that he cannot form a narrow right-wing government. Should no bloc achieve a majority, Likud may argue that election results necessitate a unity government to avoid another election round. The number of seats Likud wins will influence negotiations; securing more than 25-26 mandates could strengthen Netanyahu’s position to lead first in a rotation, while a significantly lower result could weaken his leverage and bargaining power.